Splendour of art and culture in Western Himalayas always lured human heart and mind to study and work to know the ultimate truth of art and culture and its value in human life. Politically, Himachal Pradesh was formed in 1966 when about 20 princely hill kingdoms were merged together. The Rajput kings were great connoisseurs of art and craft and extended patronage to talented artisans in times of peace, when they needed to commemorate, and perpetuate their victories. Himachal art and craft give us an insight into the social beliefs and religious practices, which stimulate and provide an outlet for the artistic energies of Pahari artisans. The villages display little changes in their fabric or community needs through largely impoverished craftsmen and artisans having retained their creativity through the ages. Grassroots Institute, in association of local NGOs, conducted an empirical study in 2008-09 to document various forms of cultural artefacts in Chamba, Kangraa, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti districts by using research tools of questionnaire, semi-structured interview, observation and photography. Cultural artefacts that were recorded include: embroidery (including Chamba rumaal), ornaments, Pahari painting, Kangra painting, Thangka painting, handloom crafts, hemp shoes, wood carving, basketry, metal craft and sacra-metal artefacts, dolls & soft toys and Budhist sculpture. This paper will present historical, socio-cultural, morphological and developmental aspects of different cultural artefacts and associated artisans. This paper also provides the suggestions to develop new styles and designs in artefacts for getting space in market. Government needs to support the artisans and craftworkers in variety of ways.

1. DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL ARTEFACTS
IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
Chuni Lal | Hasrat Arjjumend
XVI North West Indian Sociological Association Conference
Culture, Politics and Ethnocity: Emerging Issues in North West India
November 23-24, 2012, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India

2. Introduction
• Splendour of art and
culture in Western
Himalayas always lured
human heart and mind
• Rajput kings were great
connoisseurs of art & craft
• Kings extended patronage
to talented artisans
• Himachal art and craft give
us an insight into the social
beliefs and religious
practices

3. Introduction
• Art & Craft stimulates
and provides an outlet
for the artistic
energies of Pahari
artisans
• Villages display little
changes in their fabric
or community needs
• Poor craftsmen and
artisans retained their
creativity through the
ages

4. Embroidery
• Embroidery in HP dates back of
16th Century
• Expression of folk culture
• Chamba Rumal (also called dhatu
became synonym of embroidery
• Practiced in Kangra, Basobli,
Nurpur, Jammu, Haripur, Gular,
Bilaspur, Satyali, Mandi, Kullu,
Hoshiarpur, etc.
• Depiction of religion, culture,
nature, romance, folk, reign, etc.

5. Ornaments
• Ornaments used from
childhood to old age
• Newborn baby - ghungru
• Ornament gift to male child by
nani-nani, mama, mami, bua
• Earrings after karna-vedha
• Jwellery is given to bride at the
time marriage
• Variations in designs of
ornaments in different districts

6. Painting
• Paintings flourished between
17th and 19th Centuries
• Pahari painting
• Kangra painting
• Thangka painting
• Religious expressions in
Kangra and Thangka paintings
• Paintings depict the organic
relations in society of different
districts

7. Woolen Craft

8. Hemp Shoes

9. Wood Carving

10. Basketry

11. Thank You

12. info@grassrootsinstitute.in
director@grassrootsinstitute.in
www.grassrootsinstitute.in
www.grassroots.org.in